Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY278510 Unique Reference Number 30 August 2007 Inspection date Christine Cutts Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and teenage daughter. They live in a flat in Marlow. Local shops, schools and parks all within walking distance. All areas of the property are available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years and currently minds three children all on a part time basis. The childminder is not currently minded any children with learning difficulties or any for whom English is an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the appropriate care given by the childminder, as she responds to their needs for food, sleep and play. Children develop with the provision of age appropriate toys, model making and painting. The childminder organises activities such as visits to the park, toddler groups and activity centres to enable children to have a variety of experiences.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's sense of belonging and sense of self worth are developing as the childminder follows the children's home routines, such as sleeping arrangements and organises her daily routine to enable her to give each child individual attention. The childminder has a current first aid certificate, however, medical records are not retained for the required period of time and written parental consents for emergency medical treatment and advice are not in place. Children have access to a clean and well-maintained home environment in which good hygiene routines help minimise risks of cross infection, keeping children healthy and well.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works closely with parents, who supply all their children's food, to ensure the children have a nutritious diet. She values the wishes of parents and the children's likes and dislikes, when providing healthy snacks and drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children have a safe and secure environment in which they can access age appropriate, safe resources, which are well organised to develop their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of health and safety issues and close supervision of the children ensures that they are safe and secure in their play and happy to move around the home. The children always play within sight of the childminder who makes herself aware of what the children are doing at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has minimised the areas of risk by identifying potential hazards and implementing a good range of safety equipment including, working smoke alarms, a fire blanket and socket covers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to safeguard and promote children’s welfare. The childminder has an understanding of child protection, however, she does not have current information in line with the local safeguarding children board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play and learn in a home environment with a good range of quality toys and age appropriate activities. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework occasionally to support babies and younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's understanding of their individual needs. She helps them progress to their next steps as she encourages them to communicate, to move and develop their physical skills. The childminder provides the children with new experiences like visits to the park and trips to the safari park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 There are good relationships between the children and the childminder, who engages the children in conversations and is attentive to their needs. This means that the children feel valued and develop a sense of self-worth and belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are valued and respected as individuals; the childminder endeavours to meet their individual needs. The children develop an understanding of others through playing together, socialising and using the resources available. The childminder is not currently minding any children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities or any children for whom English is an additional language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is generally good. They feel comfortable and at ease and are learning to respect and show affection for each other. The childminder works closely with parents; she ensures she exchanges information daily, keeping them informed about children’s progress and activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment. Children benefit from the childminder's good organisation; she keeps her childminding commitments low to ensure that there is an appropriate level of space and resources to meet all the children's needs and to ensure that she is able to offer them individual time and attention. The childminder has undertaken all relevant checks and training to enable her to support the children she cares for.

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Organisation

All relevant documentation is in place to ensure care of the children. However, documentation is not retained for the required length of time. The childminder has good relationships with parents and exchanges information to help meet the children's individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to update records, to include written parental consent for children to go on outings or travel in a car. Children's well-being is now increased as the childminder now has these consents in place.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure all medical records are retained for a minimum of two years • obtain written consents for emergency medical treatment or advice • obtain latest contact numbers and information on safeguarding children

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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